ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2014 With a powerful winter storm expected to bring well over a foot of snow from Sunday into Monday, Allentown has declared a snow emergency.<\/p>\n
The snow emergency will go into effect at 7 a.m. Saturday, and full enforcement will begin at 11 a.m., Mayor Matt Tuerk announced Thursday.<\/p>\n
City officials say the declaration is aimed at supporting snow removal operations and ensuring public safety as the storm approaches. <\/p>\n
About 30 streets are designated as snow emergency routes, and vehicles parked on those streets must be moved once the emergency takes effect. <\/p>\n
Allentown city ordinance<\/p>\n
The enforcement period will give police time to ensure snow emergency routes are clear before snow starts falling.<\/p>\n
Under city ordinance, about 30 streets are designated as snow emergency routes, and vehicles parked on those streets must be moved once the emergency takes effect. <\/p>\n
Cars left on those routes are subject to ticketing and towing, officials said.<\/p>\n
To assist residents, the Government Parking Deck at 401 Hamilton St. will open for free parking starting at midnight Saturday.<\/p>\n
All city parking decks will be free beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday. <\/p>\n
Cars not removed from snow emergency routes will be towed, officials said. <\/p>\n
Allentown Parking Authority, along with Allentown police and Ross Towing, will enforce the parking restrictions. <\/p>\n
Snow Removal Plan<\/p>\n
City officials say the top priority during the storm is keeping roads passable for emergency vehicles. <\/p>\n
Snow removal will occur in phases:<\/p>\n
Snow emergency routes and primary roadwaysSecondary streetsAlleysParking lots, parks, trails and other public spaces<\/p>\n
Beginning Saturday, crews will operate on two 12-hour shifts indefinitely until all roadways are reopened. About 50 trucks will be deployed to cover 420 miles of roadway in the city, officials said.<\/p>\n
Officials cautioned that residents may still see snow or ice on streets even after plows have passed, particularly on secondary streets and alleys. <\/p>\n
An \u201copen\u201d street, the city noted, means vehicles can pass safely, not that pavement is fully clear.<\/p>\n
Crews already are pre-treating roads with salt brine, inspecting equipment and staging trucks in advance of the storm, the mayor said.<\/p>\n
Additional Impacts<\/p>\n
City officials are urging residents to prepare for several weather-related disruptions:<\/p>\n
Trash and recycling collection for Sunday and Monday is canceledResidents are asked to stay off the roads unless travel is necessaryDo not throw snow into streets; it can create hazards and interfere with plowingSnow-clearing operations may take several days because of the storm\u2019s expected severity<\/p>\n
Residents can call the city\u2019s snow hotline at (610) 437-7669 for updates. Additional information will be posted on the city website, allentownpa.gov<\/a>, and through official social media channels.<\/p>\n Salisbury Township also declares emergency<\/p>\n Nearby Salisbury Township also declared a snow emergency, effective from 12 a.m. Sunday through 12 p.m. Monday.<\/p>\n Township officials cited the same winter storm threat and urged residents to monitor local updates and limit travel.<\/p>\n More information is available on the township website at salisburylehighpa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Officials across the region are urging patience and caution as crews work through what could be one of the most significant winter storms in years.<\/p>\n Snow emergency declarations are expected in many municipalities. <\/p>\n